Tuesday, June 7

Alfie Boe was on as Jean Valjean in last night’s performance of Les Miserables. He is joining the cast permanently on 23rd June and it might have been that it was the current JVJ Simon Bowman’s Monday night off (in which case Jonathan Williams performs), but it is interesting that Boe was brought in so early and Cameron Mackintosh was in watching with Russell Crowe.

Crowe does sing and has performed lead vocals in a couple of his own rock/pop bands - could it be that he is being considered for the part in the movie version?

Whatever role it was for, current JVJ Simon Bowman is off at moment and Jonathan Williams couldn't perform for whatever reason so presumably Cameron wheeled in Alfie Boe to create a good impression and present the best show possible for Messrs Crowe and Hooper.

The only roll that Crowe is suitable for would be Javert. Hopefully, if this was a business gathering, Crowe was there only to observe the future film JVJ and how he could best play the against the lead. They ned a big name, Crowe supplies that. They need a superior talent, Alfie supplies that.

They will cast who they want to cast, and film-makers always think 'box office' first so sadly, the best person for the job, in our opinion, will not matter to them. Les Mis fans will of course want the likes of Afie Boe or John Owen-Jones etc to play the role, but it looks like it wont happen. It looks like it will be a proven box office star who can 'also sing' and they will record version, after version, after version, until it is the best they can make it. The singer wont have to sing night after night 8 performances a week sometime for years and year and wont need to be brilliant for them to cast them. My reaction to this is 'I want a 'real' singer!' but i fear I'm to b disappointed. If Crowe was at the show, it looks like a done deal to me. I heard something about Hugh Jackman as either Javert or JVJ. he'd be great because he's a fantastic singer and MT performer, charismatic an sexy too.. bt over all.. a singer.

Hugh Jackman now confirmed as playing JVJ in the movie and Crowe suggestion seems to have disappeared for time being. Last murmur I heard for Javert was Paul Bettany who I know nothing about as a singer ....